The Observation Deck

Policing is probably the kind of job which goes largely unnoticed when it's going right, and that's unfortunate.

I appreciate Lakewood's police. Off the top of my head, I'm glad that they

• appear on the scene quickly at each car crash
• invite the community to casual conversation with members of the force, pretty much every month I think
• have shown patience in handling various quarrel-driven calls which probably did not need to be made

And they police the community. Which, again, tends to get less notice than when something goes wrong.

I suppose they and I recognize that life works this way, even so. The treatment of Ms. Robinson did bring some measure of discredit to the department, because it did not measure up to the standard which we should and typically can expect of LPD.

I'm glad that the standard is higher, and I have an impression that the force does wish to keep it that way; I hope that they will succeed.

Meanwhile we have another spreading mess, and as information trickles alongside, it seems like more-helpful leadership higher up the chain of command could have benefited everyone.

Meanwhile we have another spreading mess, and as information trickles alongside, it seems like more-helpful leadership higher up the chain of command could have benefited everyone.

Another problem, another "mess," another black eye for Lakewood, and the ultimate responsibility lies upon the top dog, the Director of Public Safety, the mayor, Mike Summers.

mjkuhns wrote:Policing is probably the kind of job which goes largely unnoticed when it's going right, and that's unfortunate.

I appreciate Lakewood's police. Off the top of my head, I'm glad that they

• appear on the scene quickly at each car crash
• invite the community to casual conversation with members of the force, pretty much every month I think
• have shown patience in handling various quarrel-driven calls which probably did not need to be made

And they police the community. Which, again, tends to get less notice than when something goes wrong.

I suppose they and I recognize that life works this way, even so. The treatment of Ms. Robinson did bring some measure of discredit to the department, because it did not measure up to the standard which we should and typically can expect of LPD.

I'm glad that the standard is higher, and I have an impression that the force does wish to keep it that way; I hope that they will succeed.

Meanwhile we have another spreading mess, and as information trickles alongside, it seems like more-helpful leadership higher up the chain of command could have benefited everyone.

Matt

Lakewood Police and Fire are amazing. I did a drive along, where they had to chase down a young male with a 45, and they caught them. I have seen fire and rescue squads answer call after call, walk into burning buildings, direct traffic, and I have never seen one hesitate ever. It's a special breed.

I do not believe there is systematic racism in the Police, Fire, City Hall and certainly not the Lakewood Public Library.

I do believe City Hall has a problem handling their bad news,
.

Jim, I think your posts to the Deck are probably the biggest, local exception to the "only get noticed when something goes wrong" rule. They are good ongoing reminders (which get a lot of views), that these services are here, and intervening quickly in situations where it's urgently needed.

Jim O'Bryan wrote: I do not believe there is systematic racism in the Police, Fire, City Hall and certainly not the Lakewood Public Library.
I do believe City Hall has a problem handling their bad news,
.

Here's what I know.
I sat in a meeting where a Build Lakewood supporter, a Mike Summers supporter, felt comfortable talking about "those people from across 117th street." ... Those people, not like us.

Here's what I know.
Lakewood is a city that prides itself on diversity. But here's the scorecard when it comes to positions of power.
Mayor- white.
Law Director- white.
City Council- white, white, white, white, white, white, white.
Finance Director - white.
Head of The Dem's Club - white.
Fire Chief- white.
Police Chief - white.

It's more than fair to ask how all that whiteness colors the groupthink, the culture at city hall.
It's fair to ask: is this about more than one officer mistreating a teenager?

m buckley wrote:[quote="J
It's more than fair to ask how all that whiteness colors the groupthink, the culture at city hall.
It's fair to ask: is this about more than one officer mistreating a teenager?

M Buckley

As a 6'4" blued eyed irishMAN, all me to dive deep into diversity at City Hall.

There is at least 3 different decades of white men represented there.

Let's not forget Councilwoman Monique Smith plea on the Deck to for the Administration to stop the rampant misogyny.

Something else I feel I can fairly address as a white male.

In all seriousness, Lakewood City Hall and Lakewood decades ago had diversity issues.

The community seems to have gotten on with people are people, as there are more class/border disputes, than lifestyle disputes.

Outside of one candidate for school board, I do not remember any diversity choices out side of sex and age.

At least that is my thoughts on it as as old white male.

.